Sitting at attention on the Andress High School football field that produced several of the current and former pro football players standing in front of them, 500 children at the Ray Mickens Celebrity Football Camp no doubt dreamed that they would make that journey to the NFL.

As improbable as that is, there was proof right there that it could be done.

"I came to this camp one of my first years at Burges, I was once in their position," said Cincinnati Bengals quarterback John Skelton. "To get back here is pretty special. Ray has been doing this 10 years and it just gets better every time.

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Bret Bloomquist

"I love doing this, I love being part of this."

Skelton, who will begin organized team activities with his new team Tuesday (he signed with the Bengals after parting ways with Arizona this offseason), was one of 17 pro athletes directing the 500 youngsters at the free camp.

When Mickens, the former Andress star who later went on to successful careers with Texas A&M, the New York Jets and New England Patriots, began this camp a decade ago, the original plan was that this would be his last one.

"When this started, I said I was only going to do it 10 years," Mickens said. "I don't think they are going to let me off. I'm going to keep doing it as long as the community supports it. I love coming out here.

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"When I was younger, it was all about me. Now that I'm older, I reflect back on the people who helped me and I want to give that same inspiration.

"I know this is really special to all of us."

It is to the campers.

"This is great," said 10-year-old Emiliano Gandara, clutching a signed poster. "I had fun."

When asked who was his favorite player, he said, "Ray Mickens."

Another player who made that journey from Andress to the NFL to camp instructor was Brian Young, now a coach with the New Orleans Saints.

"It's been a few years since I've been out here. The last four years I had surgeries every offseason and couldn't come," Young said. "When I was growing up, we didn't have these camps like we do now. It's great for the kids to have these and it's so fun to come back and help with them."

The camp marked the end of the three-day 2013 Ray Mickens Celebrity Weekend presented by FirstLight Federal Credit Union that included autograph signings and other appearances. But, for Mickens, the camp, free to young people from all over the city, is what he most looked forward to.

"This is the highlight of my weekend," he said. "Being able to teach these kids football is the hook, but we also want to teach them life skills, making good decisions, staying in school, doing the right things.

Andress High School graduate and former New Orleans Saint Brian Young teaches a drill to kids at the Ray Mickens Celebrity Weekend football camp at Andress. (Mark Lambie/El Paso Times)

"That's what this camp is all about."

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359. Follow him on Twitter @bretbloomquist